so the deal could come at any time. if you want to be optimistic i think republicans are realizing how much leverage they have with the sequester. these are automatic spending cuts. the obama doesn't want them. this is leverage point for republicans. adam: you're an economist. we're journalists and we're only good for free drinks. are we going over the cliff? >> i think it is undeniable the economy falls into recession if we do go over the fiscal cliff. even chairman bernanke was very clear on this point telling everyone if the economy goes over the fiscal cliff even the fed itself does not have you have enough tools to go over against the impact. in terms of lack of investment and in terms of businesses closing their doors and remaining sidelined still for quarters going into 2013. adam: well, lindsey, you again are an economist. which is worse, the spending cut from the sequestration or the tax increase? which hits us, 310 million of us are american citizens. which hits us worse? >> well generally when we talk about t